FAREWELL MY SR SERAH

FAREWELL MY SISTER SERAH

Cornelius Afebu Omonokhua

 

My dear Sister Serah, when I announced your death to my friends, the question that came with some condolences was, “How are you related?” Some asked because they know that my mother gave birth to only me and Mrs. Margaret Iye Imomoh. Others wanted to know whether we have the same father and mother in the English categories. That my father and your father have the same parents is not what really make us relations. We have been netted together from birth. We journeyed into this world together. You arrived in December while I arrived in January. As we were growing up in the same home of Omonokhua, you always introduced me as your younger brother. You would go further to say, “I senior him with one year; we used to fight as children but I was stronger than him!” My response was always, “can you still fight now?” and she would respond, “For where, I get power again?” We were very fond of each other. Dear Sister, you were so open that you could easily reveal your secrets. You were open minded with a generous heart. 

 

As children, we grew up in love to the extent that some people do not know that we were cousins. Growing up, you were my best friend, so how could I see you in a distant relationship of the “English Cousin concept?” I can still recall this incident in our primary school days. Only you and I were in a flooded Ogioriver. In the process of swimming, I was tired and was drowning, you dived into the water and pushed me to get me on top of the wooden bridge. That day, you were my life saver. Otherwise, that would have been the end of my life. 

 

Whenever we go in search of fruits, you would be the one to climb the mango tree and cashew tree to fetch fruits for us. We called you Osera-mo (Serah the tree climber). When we were in primary school, no girl in our school, St. Peter’s Anglican Primary school could break your record in 100- and 200-meters race. In sports, you were simply the best. Although married to a Muslim, you never forgot your Catholic faith. You desired to remain in union with the Church and today, God has allowed that desire to be sustained even at death. We thank God that you are enjoying a Catholic funeral. 

 

A good journey is a safe and good arrival. We pray that the Angels and Saints will welcome you into heaven where you will rest in peace with God forever. Great athlete and great swimmer, we shall miss you. We shall miss your charming jokes, smiles and counsels. Your aged parents, (Basil and Marian) will miss you! The entire family of Omonokhua will miss you! Your only daughter, Mrs. Jessica Otse Kayode will miss you! Your son inlaw, Mr. Kayode Nissi will miss you! Your sons, Abdul-Jabbarand Oshioke, will miss you! Your grand-children, Eyitayo, Oluwadabira Serah, Oluwamayowa, will miss you! Your husband M.J. Bello will miss you! Your colleagues and friends in NAFDAC will miss you! Sally Baby, match on like a gallant soldier to heaven.  Adieu Serah!

 

Fr. Prof. Cornelius Afebu Omonokhua

SR STELLA BASSEY ESIRAH

SR. STELLA, 

MY LOGOTHERAPIST

My dear Sr. Stella Enobong Esirah HHCJ, it appears thatthe world is closing down  without your beautiful smiles and encouraging words. You got me interested in logotherapy after reading your books on how to find meaning in life. You were a nurse before studying philosophy, where you researched on Logotherapy that was developed by Viktor Frankl, a neurologist and psychiatrist. Like Viktor Frankl you believed that the primary motivational force of an individual is to find meaning in life.

You ended your life on earth with a smile and admonition to your brothers and sisters: Here are your last words on earth: “I thank you Lord God for creating me. Thank you, Lord, for giving me the responsibility of being dedicated to you and the privilegeof dedicating my life to you. If I have finished the work, you assigned me to do on earth, you can take me if it is your will. Otherwise, dear God reduce this suffering and pain.” You told your brothers and sisters not to despair. You inspired hope in them. You told them, “Cry when you need to but know that I am happy. I am at peace with God.” You told God that you are not afraid of leaving the world but only concerned about those you are leaving behind. You prayed that God should unite and console them. 

As a renowned Psychotherapist akin to Freud's psychoanalysis and Adler's individual psychology, yourapproach to life was therapeutic. You helped those who encountered you to discover their real self and the reason for their existence on earth. You helped those who reached you to value the moment and focus on the future. During your long pain when you lived on artificial oxygen, you showed your ability toendure hardship and suffering like your master Jesus Christ. You demonstrated the freedom of letting us know that you valued life. You were my therapist. I can still recall your words of wisdom at different moments. Here are some of your words on the marble: 

• Do not force anyone to like you. True love is freely given.

• Some people can take advantage of your generosity, so be careful. 

• A healthy relationship flourishes when you are open and sincere. 

• Do not lie, tell the truth no matter how bitter. 

• Never disobey your legitimate authority. 

• Allow people to develop themselves; do not spoil them with gifts.

• Do not give anybody everything he or she asks for.

• Do not change from good to bad no matter the provocation. 

• Continue to love and help those who honestly seek your assistance. 

Dear mystic rose and gentle dove, you were the first and only Woman Religious, I know to  head a department in a Catholic Major Seminary. As Head of Department (HOD) of Philosophy in Saint Joseph Major Seminary, Ikot-Ekpene, you trained, formed and transformed many seminarians. Today, they are happy and successful priests. 

 

Mother Leonie-Martha O’Karaga, Mother General Emeritus of HHCJ, thanks for allowing Sr. Dr. Stella Bassey Esirah, HHCJ, to work with me when I was the Director of Mission and Dialogue of the Catholic Secretariat of Nigeria (CSN). Sr. Stella, you made the congregation of the Handmaids of the Holy Child Jesus proud by being one of the pioneer members of the National Think Tank of Inter-religious Dialogue and Catholic – Methodists relations in Nigeria. You did well as a member of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN). Thank you, my Angelic Scholar for editing my works, writing foreword and comments on four of my books that are now available on Amazon. You were indeed a gift to me, my family and friends. Thanks a million!

 

I was not keen on Logotherapy until I met you who demonstrated practical logotherapy with the way you relatedwith people. You gave me wings to fly in my dreary moments. In the deep darkness of my life, you were my sunshine. All my friends who encountered you testified that you were a guiding star and guardian Angel. Oh Stellamaris, the star of the sea, March on to heaven like a great Saint.

 

Within July and August, your friends, Dolly Igbinijesu and Serah Omonokhua Bello were buried. What a world! You left us on the solemnity of Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary (August 15, 2023). You followed Mother Mary to meet Jesus in a home where the Lord has gone to prepare for you. It is difficult to stop weeping even though Jesus has enjoined us: “Do not let your heart be troubled” (John 14:1).

 

Your empathy for me was deep after my spine surgery. You feared that I would die. I could not imagine that you will leave us so soon. My dear Stella, the family of Esirah are missing you! The Handmaid Sisters are missing you! Saint Joseph Majoy Seminary, Ikot-Ekpene is missing you! The world will miss you! What a world where death is rapidly snatching the young away!Sr. Stella, you were an amazon, icon, a scholar, a gentle womanwho lived and taught others how to face tomorrow. Rest in peace now my dear sister. Rest in peace forever! Adieu! 

 

Fr. Prof. Cornelius Afebu Omonokhua

Executive Secretary

Nigeria Inter-religious Council (NIREC)